Explosions rang out in a town in Gael. Miko and Sora were rampaging through the streets, killing all of Nebulous’s men.

“Sora, bring me to the others. I want to take you all away from this place.”

Miko told Sora.

“Alright, follow me!”

Sora thrust his hand out and several men were blown away by a burst of sound. He started forcing his way through the flood of enemies, with Miko following close behind him. Momo and Tia were walking leisurely behind them.

“You know, I’ve never really seen Miko act as a leader before. How is he?”

Tia asked Momo.

“Hmm, while he does have some qualities of a leader, I don’t know if he can be one. Well, at least not yet.”

“So he still needs to mature before he can become a competent leader, huh?”

Tia watched as Miko protected Sora from ambushes, allowing him to focus on what’s in front of him.

“While he does seem more of a soldier than a General, there’s no telling just how he’ll evolve. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Miko activated his vita and increased his speed. He turned into a black comet and started to take out the enemies in the surrounding area with quick and precise attacks. People started falling like leaves in the autumn.

“Wow. Is it me or did Miko’s martial arts change from before?”

Momo mumbled.

“It’s gotten sharper, and there are fewer excessive movements. It’s really strange.”

After taking out several enemies lurking in the dark, Miko returned to Sora’s side. Sora looked at him in shock. He too noticed that Miko’s fighting style had gotten sharper.

(Did he get this good from sparring with us?)

Sora refuted that thought.

(The skills Miko displayed were something that he never used against us. It also felt somewhat lacking, despite seeming sharp. It was like he was copying someone…But who?)

“Looks like I still can’t fight like Darry yet.”

Miko mumbled to himself.

“We’re here.”

Sora pointed at the apartment he, Ace, and Hina lived. As expected, it was surrounded. Yet, no one approached it.

“We have quite a guard dog, so they can’t just enter unless they don’t want to live.”

Sora smirked.

Miko saw a group of thugs get impatient and run towards the apartment's front door. They placed their hands on the doorknob.

“Ahhh?!”

A scream of agony reached Miko’s ears. He saw one of the men lift his arm and reveal that his hand was cut off. This caught Miko by surprise. He didn’t see how the man lost his hand.

“Hm?”

That’s when he saw something twinkling around men. He focused his eyes and saw what it was.

“Wires?”

He saw the wires wrap around the men, restricting their movements.

“Wha?!”

The men were shocked, but surprise soon turned into horror. The wires tightened and started cutting into their skin. Their blood started to spray and they started to scream.

“Ahhh!”

Suddenly, their bodies were cut into pieces and fell to the ground. Blood leaked onto the ground and soaked the severed body parts. Miko saw the bloodstained wires being pulled upwards. He looked to see who was controlling the wires.

“Hina.”

Hina didn’t seem to notice him and went back inside the apartment after walking off the balcony.

“Damn. That was some insane skills.”

Miko mumbled.

“So she’s your guard dog.”

Sora nodded.

“Out of the three of us, Hina is most fit for defending against a siege. She can kill anyone that tries to invade the apartment in seconds.”

“Impressive.”

Miko nodded. He started to believe in his decision to recruit the trio more and more.

“Let’s go. We can talk in the apartment. They’re too afraid of Hina to approach it.”

Sora started blowing away the stunned thugs who were surrounding the apartment and made a path for Miko and the girls. They quickly made it to the front door and were able to enter.

“Yo, Miko.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The moment they entered, they were greeted by Ace.

“My goddess, your humble servant is ready to move at your beck and call.”

Ace bowed before Tia. He was like a devotee of hers, he worshipped her every chance he got.

“I think there’s an obvious difference in treatment here.”

Momo complained.

“Where’s Hina?”

“I’m here, Miko.”

Hina walked into the lobby and smiled.

“Miko, why are you here?”

“I had some business in the area and got wind of the situation here. I met up with Sora, and he brought us here.”

“I see. I’m sorry we can’t treat you like a guest with everything that’s going on.”

“I have a proposition regarding that.”

Miko showed a bright smile.

“How about you three come and work for me?”

“Work for you? Doing what?”

“Whatever you want. You can continue doing what you did under Dixie, or you can do something new. I don’t just want your talents, I want you yourself. If you take my offer, I’ll grant you my full protection, a home, funds, and other privileges.”

“Do you have that much money, Miko?”

Ace asked.

“While I was indeed shunned by many in my clan, I’m still a prince of an empire. I have tons of money left over from my allowance over the years. Establishing a company or two isn’t a big deal for me.”

Of course, in reality, Miko didn’t want to establish a company. He wanted to recruit talents and form his own faction to fight against not only his enemies in the empire but from all over the world. The trio more or less realized his true intentions, but they didn’t really have a problem with it. And gaining the protection of a Prince in their situation wasn’t a bad deal, especially when he was a proxy with a bright future. However, there was the question of if they had the determination to take part in the bloody and gruesome Proxy Wars.

“……..”

“……..”

Ace and Hina seemed to be hesitant on this point.

“I’ve already decided to side with Miko.”

That’s when Sora spoke.

“You did?”

He nodded.

“I know there are some serious cons to joining Miko, but there are some incredible pros as well that can’t be ignored. Besides, it’s not like we’re in the position to be picky. Didn’t we take a risk years ago that had more cons than this? So why hesitate now?”

His words came as a shock to Ace and Hina. They didn’t expect him to be the one persuading them to join Miko. It was a complete turnaround from when they were trying to convince him. They looked at each other and nodded.

“Fine. At least this time we’re working with someone we actually like. Right, Hina?”

“I have no problem working for Miko. He’s a fan after all.”

“Oh. I get to read all your works first.”

Miko suddenly added.

“Hmm, so he has successfully recruited his first underlings.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to call them his friends?”

Momo looked at Tia funnily.

“With that settled, how about we get you out of here?”

Miko seemed to be in a good mood.

“We can do that, but Nebulous’s hands can reach anywhere in the empire. Even Dragna City. Leaving here won’t necessarily mean we’ve escaped him.”

“Then don’t consider this as escaping, Sora. Consider it a strategic retreat to buy time and to better arm yourselves for what’s to come.”

“You mean….?”

“We run now, but fight later.”

“Miko, do you intend to clash directly with Nebulous?”

“If he steps back after I’ve announced that you’re under my wing, then I won’t immediately. But if he’s persistent, then I’ll have no choice. As your boss, I must protect my people…Besides, isn’t this a great opportunity?”

“Opportunity?”

The trio was confused. A dim smile overflowing with malice crawled onto Miko’s face. It sent chills down the trio’s spines.

“I’ve entered into a bloody and gruesome war where mercy is just a myth. Then isn’t this the perfect opportunity to see if I’m cut out for it?”

His smile broke out into a grin.

“I’ll test myself by going to war with the one who controls this country’s crime world. He has more connections, more manpower, more resources, and I’m sure he’s far more powerful than I am.”

Miko clenched his fists.

“If I’m able to overcome all of that and crush him regardless, wouldn’t that mean I have what it takes? The very thought excites me for some reason. The thought of crushing such an opponent under my feet.”

“?!”

It was at that moment that those around Miko realized something. The reason Miko recruited the trio was definitely because they were talented and could become his strength in the future, but that wasn’t the only reason. He needed an excuse, an excuse to clash with a strong opponent with everything he had. To clash with merciless intentions and full-blown cruelty. The trio was the excuse, and his prey was the terrifying Crime God who ruled the empire’s underworld. This realization sent off alarms in everyone’s heads.

Dangerous.

“The way Miko thinks was far too dangerous.”

That was what they all thought.

What made it dangerous wasn’t the chaos and destruction that a war between Miko and Nebulous could result in. It was the fact Miko had seemingly considered these things and wrote them off as necessary to test himself. All the lives that could be lost, the hell that could break loose, Miko saw these things as insignificant and wished to carry out his test regardless. This mindset was one of a warmonger.

(Oh.)

In this group of shocked people, Tia was the only one who looked amused.

(You want to see if you’re cut out for the cruel and merciless Proxy War?)

She smiled as looked at Miko’s grin.

(If you ask me, the very fact you would start a war just to test yourself is proof enough that you’re more than cut out for it. Hell, you might even feel right at home.)

Momo on the other hand was upset with Miko’s thinking.

“Miko, don’t be reckless. Nebulous isn’t someone simple. He has the backing of some of our clan’s elders and possibly leaders. I also heard he’s connected to both the Saevus and Flameheart clans. That means he practically has the entire empire’s top brass behind him. Do you think you can beat that?”

“Who knows? I have to try to find out.”

“You…!”

“Now, now.”

Tia placed her hand on Momo’s shoulder to calm her down.

“Miko isn’t stupid enough to fight a stronger opponent without preparation. Besides, if you think things are going south, you can step in and help him.”

Momo looked at her in silence and then frowned. She called Tia to the side so that they could talk privately.

“Tia, just what do you want to turn Miko into? It seems like you’re always stopping me from preventing him from going down the wrong path.”

“You got it all wrong, Momo. I’m not trying to turn Miko into anything. I just want to see it. I want to see just what he’ll become.”

“…Tia, I’ve been wondering this for some time, but do you see Miko as some toy to pass the time?”

Momo glared at her.

“Of course not. I genuinely care about Miko and his future. I don’t see him as a toy, but actually, someone who might become my equal someday. Someone who stands on the same stage as me.”

“…I see. I think I understand now.”

She pointed at Tia.

“You’re lonely. You’ve been alone for many millennia after the death of Augustus back during the God’s Era, and you want Miko to become your new companion. Someone who’s not inferior to you in any way, and can stand by your side again.”

“…….”

Tia didn’t reply, but that was more than enough of a response for Momo. She suddenly started laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

Tia showed a frown in response to Momo's laughter.

“No, I wasn’t laughing at you or anything. I was actually laughing at myself.”

Momo replied.

“I actually thought you understood Miko more than I did, but now I see that’s not the case at all.”

“Meaning?”

“Tia, you’ll never be able to control Miko; no matter how much you try.”

She then smiled.

“That boy will always defy your expectations and slowly grow into something that you can’t handle. By the time you notice, it’s already too late.”

“………”

“Let me give you a word of advice. Don’t allow yourself to be sucked in too deep. I’ve seen countless others try to control him, only to end up being devoured.”

Momo turned her back to her.

“Be careful not to let that happen to you.”

“…….”

Tia watched her walk toward Miko in silence. After a while, she smiled.

“Silly girl, I knew that already. Irregulars can not be controlled.”

She walked back to regroup with the others.

“But we have that in common. That’s why I love them so much.”